@ - @ ups selected for the 16 february match were both strong , and close to full strength . though 12 of the england side had not played internationally before , all were experienced at domestic level . the match was referee ##d by rowland hill , who had also off ##icia ##ted the natives ' first match in britain , against surrey . the opening of the first half was a score ##less affair , with much tack ##ling and sc ##rum ##ma ##ging on the heavy ground . later in the half england scored two tries through harry bedford , but both were disputed by the natives , who claimed that one of their players had grounded the ball in @ - @ goal .
@ - @ ups selected for the 16 february match were both strong, and close to full strength. though 12 of the england side had not played internationally before, all were experienced at domestic level. the match was refereed by rowland hill, who had also officiated the natives'first match in britain, against surrey. the opening of the first half was a scoreless affair, with much tackling and scrummaging on the heavy ground. later in the half england scored two tries through harry bedford, but both were disputed by the natives, who claimed that one of their players had grounded the ball in @ - @ goal.